Mahmudullah Riyad's story is one of remarkable resilience, a testament to his never-say-die attitude. Just like a hero in a gripping narrative, his name can be written back into the annals of Bangladeshi cricket. It's a tale that will surely tug at your heartstrings.
From the brink of international retirement to becoming a top performer at the World Cup in India, Mahmudullah's journey has been one of thrilling twists and turns. Today, he finds himself back in the T20 squad, securing a place in the Bangladesh team for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Let's rewind a bit. Whispers of Mahmud's international career ending began last year during the home ODI series against England. Scores of 31, 32, and 8 in three ODIs sealed his fate, leading to his exclusion from the T20 team. Few believed he could resurrect his career at that point.
An air of inevitability hung heavy – Mahmud would be dropped, it was simply a matter of time. He could have potentially earned a reprieve in the England ODI series, but his performances left much to be desired.
Even Shakib Al Hasan, the then captain, hinted at the possibility in an interview before the World Cup in India. Shakib mentioned another seasoned cricketer, Mushfiqur Rahim, being on the chopping block after that series. However, Mushfiqur managed to salvage his place with a well-timed 70 in the final ODI.
Back to Mahmud. Following the England debacle, he wasn't included in the pre-World Cup squad for India. But he refused to surrender. He engaged in a silent battle with himself, choosing to avoid the storm of media speculation. This quiet determination eventually yielded results.
Those who filled his position failed to impress, leaving the door ajar for Mahmud's return. He thus emerged as the biggest surprise inclusion in Chandika Hathurasinghe's World Cup squad.
His exploits in the World Cup need little elaboration.
He was the sole shining star amidst a team struggling for consistency. A magnificent century and a total of 328 runs stand testament to his brilliance. No other Bangladeshi batsman even came close to matching his output.
Injury forced him to miss the New Zealand tour after the World Cup. There were still no whispers of a T20 comeback. After all, his T20 career seemed to have been written off earlier. He had lost the captaincy, dropped from the Asia Cup squad before the 2022 World Cup, and missed the last T20 World Cup in Australia.
The match against Sri Lanka in Dubai was widely considered Mahmud's swansong in T20 cricket. Who could have predicted his triumphant return? But return he did, back in the Bangladesh T20 team for the three-match series against Sri Lanka last March.
By showcasing his unwavering talent, he has now secured a well-deserved spot in the T20 World Cup squad for the United States and West Indies.
Even at 38, age seems nothing but a number for Mahmud. His presence on the field continues to inspire. In an interview with Cricinfo before the Sri Lanka series, Hathurasinghe not only praised his physical and mental fitness but also expressed his desire for a "determined and fresh Mahmudullah" to prove himself and silence his doubters.
However, Mahmud himself aspires to be more than just a player. He seeks to be an inspiration for the younger generation. "I am a senior player in the team," he remarked, "I have been playing for a long time. So comes responsibility. Guiding the youth, talking to them. We try to be friends and brothers. We try to help them. Let's try to figure out what is good for them and what is good for the team."
Mahmudullah Riyad's comeback story is a beacon of hope, a powerful message of perseverance for aspiring young cricketers
